Let’s be honest, we all love the convenience of shopping online. Whether it’s shoes, home décor or a late-night browse for wedding inspiration, being able to shop from the sofa has become completely normal.
And wedding dresses are no exception. There are thousands of them online, often accompanied by beautiful photographs and tempting prices.
But a wedding dress is one of those things that can be very difficult to judge from a photograph alone.
Before you click “buy”, here are a few things I think are worth considering.
You can’t really judge the fit until the dress is on you
One of the biggest surprises for many of the brides who visit Bridal Gossip is that the dresses they love on the hanger or in photographs aren’t always the ones they love when they try them on.
And sometimes the dress they would never have chosen for themselves turns out to be the one that makes them feel amazing.
That’s because wedding dresses are all about proportion, structure, shape and movement. How a neckline sits, where a waistline falls or how a skirt moves can completely change how you feel in a dress.
Bridal sizing can also be confusing because sizes and measurements vary between designers. Wondering how bridal sizing works? Read our wedding dress sizing guide →
Trying dresses in person gives you the opportunity to explore all of this before making a decision.
Photographs can’t tell you everything about a dress
Beautiful photography can show you the overall style of a wedding dress, but it can’t show you exactly how the fabric feels, how much structure a bodice has or how the dress moves when you walk.
Those details matter.
Being able to see and feel a dress in person also makes it much easier to compare different fabrics, silhouettes and details and work out what you genuinely like rather than what simply photographs well.
And if you arrive with absolutely no idea what you like? That’s completely fine too.
Part of my job is helping you explore.
Think about alterations as well as the purchase price
Whatever dress you choose, alterations are likely to be part of the process.
With a dress bought online, it’s particularly important to understand the measurements, sizing and construction before ordering, as well as what alterations might be possible afterwards.
A low purchase price can be tempting, but it’s worth considering the whole picture rather than the price of the dress alone.
At Bridal Gossip, we can talk through sizing, ordering and alterations with you so you understand what happens next before you make a decision.
There’s value in having someone there to guide you
You absolutely don’t need to know anything about wedding dresses before your first appointment.
You don’t need to know your bridal size, which silhouette suits you or the difference between one fabric and another.
That’s what I’m here for.
During your appointment, we can explore different shapes and styles together. I’ll listen to what you like, what you don’t like and, most importantly, how you feel in each dress.
I’ll give you honest advice when you want it, but there’s never any expectation that you have to make a decision on the spot.
Wedding dress shopping should be enjoyable
For me, finding your wedding dress isn’t simply about buying something to wear on your wedding day.
It should also be an enjoyable part of the build-up to getting married.
You might come with your mum, your sister, your best friend or simply by yourself. However you choose to do it, you deserve the time and space to explore dresses without feeling rushed or judged.
Sometimes you'll know immediately when something feels right. Sometimes you'll need time to think.
Both are absolutely fine.
So, should you buy your wedding dress online?
There are reputable online retailers and there are brides for whom buying online works perfectly well.
But before you make that decision, I’d encourage you to try some wedding dresses in person first.
Find out what fabrics you enjoy wearing. Discover which shapes make you feel comfortable and confident. See what the dresses actually look and feel like when you're moving around in them.
You may end up choosing something completely different from what you originally imagined.
And if you’d like some help exploring, come and see me at Bridal Gossip in Wadebridge. Explore our wedding dresses →
Or, if you’re ready to start trying dresses: Book your bridal appointment →
There’s no pressure to say yes to a dress. Come, try things on, ask questions and enjoy finding out what feels right for you.
